C 262 2 
XIX. Some farther observations on the use of the ColchicumAutum- 
nale in Gout. By Sir Everard Home, Bart. V. P. R. S. 
Read May 8, 1817. 
I laid before the Society, some experiments and observa- 
tions in favour of this medicine acting upon the gout through 
the medium of the circulation, and not by its effects directly 
upon the stomach and intestinal canal. 
The object of the present Paper is to show that the infu- 
sion throws down a deposit, the separation of which does not 
appear to diminish the specific effects upon the gout, and 
renders those upon the stomach and intestines milder than 
when the deposit is taken along with the infusion. 
The bulb of the Colchicum Autumnale contains a certain 
quantity of extractive matter, and a large portion of mucilage, 
both of which are taken up by the wine, in the first instance; 
when the strained liquor is allowed to stand, a considerable 
deposit almost immediately takes place. 
In the first trials that were made with this medicine in St. 
George's Hospital, it was natural to enquire whether this 
deposit contained any medical virtues, and upon trials fre- 
quently repeated, it was found to have none. 
This led to the opinion that the extractive matter sus- 
pended in the wine, was alone the active part of the medicine, 
and not only the first deposit was inert, but also that which 
from time to t me was afterwards found to take place. 
